'The Biggest Loser' unveils finalists

Frado and Patrick have secured a place in The Biggest Loser finale, while viewers will have to vote between Ada and Elizabeth for the final spot on next week’s closing episode.

The two men secured the chance to vie for the $250,000 cash prize and title of 'The Biggest Loser' after coming top in this week's weigh-in, while the women slipped below the yellow line, leaving their fate in the hands of the public.

This week's instalment saw the contestants leaving the ranch and returning home with feelings of nerves and excitement at the road ahead. Everyone was greeted by their friends and family as they shared their weight-loss stories. Frado said he'd lost 119lbs in three months and never realised how his weight had affected his family. He said he was on eight pills a day and three injections six times a day but after just two weeks at the ranch that had ceased. Ada revealed she had lost 79lbs and although she entered the show thinking it was just about weight-loss and wearing nice clothes, she learned she had "deeply seeded emotional issues" to deal with. "I feel like a different person," she added. Her homecoming party was attended by her parents and her mum admitted she hardly recognised her at first: "It's almost like I have a new daughter." At Elizabeth's party, she said she'd lost 52lbs and done a lot of "soul searching and healing" at the ranch. She said she'd dealt with her issues now and felt stronger emotionally and mentally. Meanwhile, Patrick revealed his 121lb weight-loss and said although it had been hard leaving his wife and children, it had been worth every second.

Each of the contestants was also given a DVD to watch at home which contained a message from Bob and Jillian and highlights of their journey from the initial audition to making the final four. Ada watched her DVD with her parents, which included snippets of her revealing that she felt "worthless" and "empty" at times. Her mum began crying as she watched, saying: "I didn't know you were so unhappy. In fact, we want you to have the best." Her father added: "I work so hard and it's all for you. Everything is for your benefit." Ada privately said that her father thought providing for her showed love because of the way he was raised but she needed more. Her dad later said that he loved her "very much" and he thought about her every day while she was at the ranch. "I think it's just nice to finally be able to hear it," said Ada. "I never thought I'd be able to have this conversation with my parents; to be open and honest about my feelings and have this new start. The timing is perfect because I feel like I am a new person too."

The end of each DVD contained a message from Alison - the contestants had to start training because they would soon be running the 26.2-mile Biggest Loser marathon! Ada was determined to beat Tara's time of 4 hours 56 minutes and used her as inspiration when she felt low. Elizabeth admitted the prospect was "overwhelming and intimidating" but she was trying to let go of her fear in order to get through it.

The contestants also had to adjust to being at home again. Patrick spent each day with his boys (after previously losing his job) and incorporated them into his workouts using the Biggest Loser game on Wii. Ada said she was finding it hard and felt like her weight-loss wasn't happening as quickly as on the ranch because it was easier to eat what she wanted at home with no-one looking. Over on Staten Island, Curtis Stone visited Frado (as a prize for winning the last weigh-in) and agreed to turn his visit into a charity event for groups supported by Frado.

Bob and Jillian also visited each of the contestants in the run-up to the marathon. First up was Patrick, who was greeted by Bob. His mother thanked Bob for saving him and said the ranch had been "the answer to all our prayers". Patrick admitted the previous week had seen a tinge of nervousness come over him especially when he thought about what would happen if it didn't work out and he finished the show still unemployed and owing money to his in-laws. Bob pointed out that almost every winner didn't work and made the competition their job and said he had to work harder than anyone else. "You gotta be first," he said. "You owe it to yourself and this family."

Elizabeth, who had relocated after moving in with her boyfriend, was visited by Jillian. She admitted to "slacking" over the first couple of weeks because of adjusting to being home, apartment hunting and moving. Jillian decided to look in her freezer and discovered processed food, burritos and ice-cream, although Elizabeth said they belonged to her boyfriend. Jillian questioned where the support element came into play, and Elizabeth said it was more an emotional support. Jillian also said she needed to remember to stand on her own two feet. Elizabeth later confessed that she felt pressurized by expectations. "I have trouble inspiring myself," she said. "How do I inspire other people?" Jillian said she couldn’t let fear paralyze her. Elizabeth later went grocery shopping and embarked on a new healthy eating regime with her boyfriend.

Over at Frado's house, he told Bob that he had initially been mentally fatigued but was now fired up for the marathon and was determined to win. "Frado is not only thinner and healthier, he has got a lot stronger," said Bob. "You can actually see it. Trust the process, it works."

Meanwhile, Ada told Jillian that everything was going well but Jillian said she couldn't see that in her face. "I need your head in a place that is more celebratory," she said. "I think you need to not be so afraid of getting happy because your fear of happiness is exactly what is going to keep you stagnant." Jillian later said she thought Ada was going to "crush" the marathon time previously set by Tara.

Next up was the marathon. The contestants reflected on their journey in the competition as they ran, with Frado and Patrick running side-by-side. Jillian and Bob and friends and family were also on hand at certain mile markers to provide motivation. Ada was the first to finish the race in 4 hours 38 minutes and 38 seconds, beating Tara's record. "It feels great because I set a new record for the girls!" she said. "I really want to thank her for setting the bar so high because if it wasn't for her I don't know that I would have pushed myself so hard." Every contestant eventually finished the marathon and was given a check for $10,000 to donate to their favourite charity.

The Weigh-In

Elizabeth: -15lbs (7.81%)
Frado: -27lbs (10.89%)
Ada: -12lbs (6.7%)
Patrick: - 35lbs (12.54%)

Patrick and Frado automatically secured places in next week's grand finale, while it's now up to America to vote on whether Ada or Elizabeth should join them.

The Biggest Loser concludes with a live finale next Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC

All images: Copyright: NBC Universal